Top 10 Good Movie Robots
#10 – Bishop (341-B): “Aliens”
Kicking off our list is the executive officer of the U.S.S. Sulaco, who happens to be a synthetic human. This highly capable android not only rescues Ellen Ripley from certain death; it also saves Newt from an open airlock, even after it's been sliced in half by the queen alien. This is
one robot that's friendly, loyal, and great at parties, thanks to his special knife trick!
#9 – Max: “Flight of the Navigator”
Hailing from the planet Phaelon, this robotic pilot commands a Trimaxian Drone Ship on a mission to collect info about other worlds. After escaping capture by the U.S. government, he takes a young boy on the adventure of a lifetime! Along the way, he even develops an eccentric sense of humor, which is no surprise since he is voiced by none other than Paul Reuben's, better known as Pee-Wee Herman.
And no: that isn’t the same ‘bot guarding the door to Jabba’s palace…
#8 – The Iron Giant: “The Iron Giant”
This fifty-foot-tall, metal-eating giant also befriends a small boy after falling from space. This friendly robot with a heart of gold eventually discovers he's actually a powerful war machine, but he's taught to use his strength for good instead of evil. While the army hunts him down,
he saves lives and aspires to follow the example of heroes like Superman.
#7 – WALL-E: “WALL-E”
This poor little “Waste Allocation Load Lifter – Earth class” is the last garbageman on the planet. It's been centuries since the globe was covered in trash and abandoned, but somehow the extremely lonely WALL-E has developed an affectionate personality. Lucky for him, his bravery earns him a hi-tech girlfriend named EVE. Boy, we swear he must have been separated-at-birth from our next entry...
#6 – Johnny 5: “Short Circuit”
Something wonderful has happened! Number five is alive! This military-built robot is originally constructed as a next-gen Cold War super soldier. But, a freak lightning strike gives it a soul and a hilarious personality that allows this machine to understand the meaning of death. Number 5 trades in his back-mounted laser rifle for a toolbox, and spends his time searching for new input while hanging with his buddies.
#5 – Robocop: “Robocop”
Okay, this one isn’t technically a full-fledged robot, but he’s more machine than man. Built by Omni Consumer Products as the ultimate law enforcement weapon, Robocop cleans up Detroit with his monotone voice and the Auto-9 firearm concealed within his leg, while also following three prime directives: “Serve the public trust,” “protect the innocent,” and “uphold the law.”
#4 – Lieutenant Commander Data: “Star Trek”
The second officer aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, this android helps the crew seek out new life and civilizations. As the sentient, loyal right officer of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Data's goal in life is to become more human and he struggles to understand the subtleties of emotion. Data is now the ideal of all modern robotics, and has become somewhat of a sex symbol. Those facts may or may not be related.
#3 – R2D2 and C3PO: “Star Wars”
One is a loudmouthed, golden protocol droid that is fluent in over six million languages. The other is a brave astromech robot that resembles a garbage can. Together, this duo aids the rebel alliance by delivering comic relief, and the plans of the Death Star. They also rescue the film's heroes from a trash compactor, and recruit Ewoks to help defeat the evil Empire.
#2 – T-800, Model 101: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”
This Terminator model is a father figure to young John Connor. He protects the future messiah with his life, and even sacrifices himself to safeguard the future of humankind. So what if robot domination is inevitable and another version of the T-800 had to be sent back to fight a chick? He may be an emotionless killing machine, but the Terminator does learn why humans shed tears.
#1 – Optimus Prime: “Transformers”
Transform and roll out! Taking the top spot on our list is the leader of the Autobots, who adopts the alternate form of a truck. Believing freedom is the right of all sentient beings, Optimus leads a handful of similar robots to protect the humans of Earth from the evil Decepticons. Optimus Prime is the poster boy for all that is good thanks to his bravery, loyalty, honor and memorable speeches.
Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite good movie robot? For more Top 10s, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.